January 2022 press releases

‘Sallets’ – how to eat healthily the 1600s way

When we think of food in the past, it is often images of Henry VIII with a table groaning with meat dishes that springs to mind. But in fact our ancestors knew more about the health benefits of eating salads – normally thought of as a cold dish of herbs or vegetables – than we might think.
Icons of different animals

Curious Kids: why didn’t other creatures evolve the intelligence humans have?

If humans and other animals were living in the same environment, why didn’t other animals evolve like us? – question submitted by Sami, aged 13, London, UK.

New on-board system will allow trains to instantly detect ‘leaves on the line’

Researchers are developing an on-board system for trains that can identify low adhesion hazards such as ‘leaves on the line’ as well as other issues that cause the rail equivalent of black ice.
Images of 3D bones with implants on them

Bone-building cells favour different orthopaedic implant designs and this can be exploited to create devices that promote faster healing, new study finds

New orthopaedic implant devices that promote faster healing and ultimately reduce the strain on the NHS could be available in the future thanks to new research by º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ engineering experts that reveals which structures best promote bone healing.

a woman jogging in the forest.

Moving for Mental Health: report calls for cross-Government strategy to use physical activity and sport to help tackle the mental health and wellbeing emergency

A joint report from the Sport for Development Coalition and Mind has recommended initiating a new cross-Government strategy to strengthen the use of physical activity and sport to support mental health and wellbeing following the Covid-19 pandemic.

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ announces its new Chief Financial Officer

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ has appointed Alexandra Owen FCA as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ to play key role in new programme which puts the Midlands at forefront of hydrogen innovation

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ experts are part of a new programme designed to support, foster, and accelerate the hydrogen economy in the Midlands.

Rewarding public officials for successful enforcement could cut low-level corruption

Petty corruption such as bribing local police could be reduced by incentivising public officials to enforce the law, according to a new paper.
frazer clarke

Heavyweight Olympic medallist boxer Clarke to train at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Sport has landed a knockout blow as heavyweight Olympic bronze medallist Frazer Clarke has chosen the University as his new training base.

Man in suit holding mobile

COVID misinformation is a health risk – tech companies need to remove harmful content not tweak their algorithms

Many worldwide have now caught COVID. But during the pandemic many more are likely to have encountered something else that’s been spreading virally: misinformation. False information has plagued the COVID response, erroneously convincing people that the virus isn’t harmful, of the merits of various ineffective treatments, or of false dangers associated with vaccines.
Students walking

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ degree programmes receive Society for Natural Sciences accreditation

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ is among the first group of institutions whose degree programmes have been accredited by the Society for Natural Sciences (SNS).

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ literary professor campaign for statue of 17th century writer Aphra Behn to be erected in Canterbury

A professor of 17th century literature is lobbying for a statue of playwright Aphra Behn to erected in the city where she was born.
A snow boarder in action

Slippery Slopes: How Climate Change is threatening the 2022 Winter Olympics

Climate change is threatening the Winter Olympics and the future of snow sports by making conditions much more dangerous to athletes and participants, finds a new report.

Academics appointed to review QAA 2022 Subject Benchmark Statements

Three º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ academics have been appointed to the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) advisory groups, to review the 2022 Subject Benchmark Statements.

Laughably intelligent – two academics reveal the lighter side of learning at the Leicester Comedy Festival

A º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ professor and a former PhD student have joined forces to give a rib-tickling take on academic life at this year’s Leicester Comedy Festival.

Free coaching, office space and support to accelerate growth of early-stage Leicestershire businesses

Do you have an idea for starting your own business? Or have you already launched and are now looking for the space and support to grow?
sports equipment

Study will seek to improve psychosocial skills of ‘Gen Z’ athletes

A new study could improve the chances of success for the UK’s ‘Generation Z’ athletes – the future Olympic medal hopefuls – by helping to them improve skills such as dealing with adversity, becoming more independent and improving their communication.

A factory made of leaves

º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ to create first-of-its-kind zero carbon loss manufacturing system

A £1.3m º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ-led project is set to develop the first ever net-zero biomanufacturing system that captures and utilises carbon instead of releasing it into the atmosphere.

Research to examine role dentists can play in tackling obesity crisis

A new study being led by º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ will look at the role dentists can play in reducing obesity in the UK.